NBA DFS Showdown Playbook December 28: Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Top Picks
Happy Thursday, everyone, It's December 28th and we have another showdown slate here with the Charlotte Hornets traveling into Los Angeles once again, but this time to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are huge favorites here, but there is plenty to like about this game. Let's dive in!
Finding some of the NBA DFS top picks could be easier if you look at Fantasy Alarm’s NBA DFS Projections, powered by FanJections. Let’s dive into the complete breakdown for tonight’s showdown slate.
Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Total: 226.5
Spread: LAL (-13)
Charlotte Hornets Injuries
- LaMelo Ball - OUT
- Gordon Hayward - OUT
- Mark Williams - OUT
- Brandon Miller - IN
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries
- Anthony Davis - PLAYING
- LeBron James - PLAYING
- Cam Reddish - OUT
- Jarred Vanderbilt - IN
- Gabe Vincent - OUT
NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays
Anthony Davis/LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
The easiest position to exploit against this Hornets roster is the center position, and the good thing is that is where Anthony Davis typically plays. Davis should demolish this frontcourt who is likely starting a back-up center in Nick Richards, and is also missing Gordon Hayward. Davis and LeBron are the easy picks at CPT/MVP tonight and both have the highest ceilings on the slate (if they both play). LeBron can go for a triple-double literally any single night.
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
Terry Rozier is going to get his and with both Ball and Hayward OFF the floor this season, Rozier is seeing a massive 1.28 fantasy point per minute and a 31.3% usage rate, which both lead the team by good margins. This is not the best match up, but Terry will likely be the only reason the Hornets compete as long as his shot is falling. In Terry's last four road tilts, he has amassed 35, 49, 44, and 51 fantasy points.
NBA DFS Showdown Top Mid-Tier Plays
Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
Like Rozier, Bridges is going to play a ton of minutes no matter the game script. Bridges has played at least 31 minutes in every game he has played this season. He is coming off back-to-back 40+ fantasy point games and should get even more usage tonight with Hayward also sitting out this game. He is easily the second option tonight here for the Hornets.
P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets
I think Washington will see a ton of minutes tonight, and if Brandon Miller doesn't suit up, he will see even more in that event. Washington is going to play, it just how much. If those three sit, it is wheels up for him. I like his upside because he can shoot three's, and his defensive stats make up for ceiling. Washington has played at least 26 or more minutes in the Hornet's last four games, and put up 35, 44, and 40 fantasy points in three of those four.
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Reaves is a staple here for the Laker rotation and now that D'Angelo Russell is basically getting baited and benched for trade talks, I like Reaves even more. His minutes are safe and we know what we are typically getting with Reaves. He lives in the 25-35 fantasy point range, but we have also seen 40 fantasy point upside, so Reaves is a solid UTIL play.
Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets
Even though we typically don't love fading the frontcourt of the Lakers, this is showdown and someone once told me that “volume is king.” With that said, obviously is Mark Williams does return, Richards will not be in play, but if he sits once again, Richards has been seeing 30+ minutes a night as the fill-in. In getting the extended run, Richards has recorded 28+ fantasy points in three of his last four games.
NBA DFS Showdown Top Value Plays
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
Rui and Reaves are the first two guys off the bench for the Lakers and they are seeing the most minutes of the bench unit. Hachimura has now played 34, 30, and 29 minutes over the last three since the Russell move to the bench unit, and as a result has put up 17, 35, and 25 fantasy points. He is super cheap tonight and could get blowout run.
Bryce McGowens, Charlotte Hornets
Bryce could potentially grab another start here with Hayward on the shelf. McGowens isn't a very high usage player, but he has played 21+ minutes in five of his last six games while his floor is very low, he has been able to record 15 or more fantasy points in three of his last five. It is generally hard to play 20+ minutes a game and not get 12-15 fantasy points consistently, but he has shown he can give that result as well, so he is a total punt, that should see minutes.
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Player News
Anthony Davis (adductor) and Brandon Williams (oblique) are probable for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Davis was listed as probable Wednesday against the Kings, but ultimately played 35 minutes and had 27 points in the win. The 32-year-old is once again listed as probable with the adductor injury that sidelined him earlier this season. Davis figures to be available as the Mavericks battle the Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference on Friday.
Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
Morant told reporters after Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors that he expects to play Friday. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old point guard missed practice Thursday and is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. While it’s hard to envision Morant sitting out a game of importance like Friday’s, his ankle is clearly bothering him. If Morant is out, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will be in line for extra minutes with Kennard potentially moving into the starting lineup.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday’s game against the Heat.
Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks’ season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again.
Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (hand) are questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks.
No big surprises on the Heat injury report heading into Friday’s game. While Larsson and Jovic are questionable, Duncan Robinson (back), Alec Burks (back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles) are all available. Larsson was questionable, but ultimately available against the Bulls Wednesday, though he didn’t play due to coach’s decision. Jovic was out Wednesday as he hasn’t played since February with a broken right hand.
Ja Morant (ankle) missed practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision against the Mavericks on Friday.
Morant finished out Tuesday’s game against the Warriors after injuring his ankle during overtime and said after the game that he will play on Friday. It’s difficult to imagine him not suiting up for a win-or-go-home game, but the ankle is clearly bothering him quite a bit, which could impact his performance on the court. If something changes, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will take on extra minutes, with Kennard potentially replacing Morant in the starting unit.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
Charania also reported that this is an incredibly quick recovery for Lillard that was made possible by early treatment. It is an excellent development for both Dame and the Bucks. He has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday, and they will give him time to ramp up before he returns to the lineup. It’s unclear what that timeline looks like, but Lillard is certainly on pace to return sooner rather than later. Ryan Rollins should continue to start in place of Dame until he returns.